Bob Vylan's Glastonbury Rant Gets Them Banned from the U.S.!

State Department Bans Visas for English Punk Duo Bob Vylan After Glastonbury Performance

The U.S. State Department has taken a firm stance, banning the English rap punk duo Bob Vylan from entering the United States following their controversial performance at the Glastonbury Festival. The decision, announced Monday, stems from what officials describe as a "hateful tirade" during which the group allegedly led crowds in chants supporting Gaza residents and wishing "death" upon Israeli forces.

Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State, issued a statement confirming that visas for Bob Vylan and his band were revoked "in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants."

The controversy erupted after videos shared on social media captured the rapper leading Glastonbury Festival attendees on Saturday in chants of "free, free Palestine" and "death, death to the IDF" (the Israel Defense Forces).

"From the river to the sea," Vylan was seen saying in the widely circulated videos, "Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free."

The phrase "river to the sea," referring to the lands between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, has become a focal point of debate. While some pro-Palestinian activists frame it as a call for peace, others consider it hate speech, especially in the wake of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Adding another layer to the situation, a Somerset Police detective has been assigned to investigate whether any hate crime statutes were violated during the performance.

"We have received a large amount of contact in relation to these events from people across the world and recognise the strength of public feeling," the police department stated. "There is absolutely no place in society for hate."

The U.S. State Department echoed this sentiment, condemning the rappers and accusing them of fomenting hate. "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," Landau emphasized.

The ban throws Bob Vylan's scheduled U.S. tour, set to kick off on October 24 in Spokane, Washington, into disarray. The tour included gigs in major cities across the country, including:

• Seattle
• Salt Lake City
• Denver
• St. Louis
• Chicago
• Minneapolis
• Detroit
• Boston
• New York
• Philadelphia
• Washington, D.C.
• Atlanta
• Nashville
• Dallas
• San Diego
• San Antonio
• Los Angeles

Representatives for the U.S. venues listed above could not be reached for comment, nor were messages left for the artist, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, immediately returned.

Addressing the incident directly in an Instagram post Tuesday, Vylan stated that his group was “being targeted for speaking up” and reiterated calls for “Free Palestine.”

“A good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace,” he wrote. “We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine,” he added, referring to the Israeli military’s assault in Gaza.

The State Department's decision underscores the complex intersection of free speech, artistic expression, and political sensitivities in the current global climate. It raises important questions about the boundaries of acceptable discourse and the potential consequences for artists who choose to engage in politically charged performances. The revocation of Bob Vylan's visa serves as a stark reminder of the power of words and the responsibility that comes with wielding them on a public stage.

Tags: Bob Vylan, Glastonbury, Israel, Palestine, IDF, Death chants, US visa, Rap punk, State Department, Free Palestine

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/state-department-bans-visas-english-punk-duo-bob-vylan-glastonbury-per-rcna215996